11 Survival TV Shows Worth Watching

8. Les Stroud “Survivor Man”

Les Stroud brings a humble quality to the realm of survival TV shows in Survivorman. Without any support staff or even a camera crew, he shows what it really takes to survive in the wilderness by yourself and with less than ideal supplies. From desert and swamp to the arctic mountains, Les has to survive for seven days, all on his own. But the difficult terrain doesn’t bring spirits down, Les keeps a positive and comedic attitude throughout each situation, making it feel more like a camping trip than a survival experience. You’ll come away from every episode with ancient survival techniques passed down from the natives of each area.

Glad you put Jericho on the list! The Jericho story continues in the season 3 graphic novel, now available from Amazon. The story starts at the end of season 2 with Jake and Hawkins in Texas with the bomb. We get to meet a new Green family member, learn the backstory of John Smith and watch as the fractured US grows closer to Civil War!

I was a fan of that show too. Netflix doesn’t show the part 2 of the 1st season fanally, unless you have the DVD service. I was saddend that it got canceled. I’ll have to look for that graphic novel. Thanks for that.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My wife has been almost completely apathetic about preps, and has allowed me (under some protest) to store a modest amount of food and water and to buy some basic equipment.

Now, however, because of this article I started watching Jericho with her last night on Netflix. I haven't mentioned a word about preps, I'm just letting her take it in. She's officially hooked after 2 episodes…and said that she'd be fine watching the other 27 episodes. I am sure that before long she'll at least unconsciously become more prep-oriented and less resistant to the idea of storing extra food, etc. I've been banging my head against the wall trying to find a way to get her to not only consider prepping more, but actually DOING more (because intentions aren't worth a thing when the balloon goes up). Again, THANK YOU!

Glad to hear that your wife is opening up to the idea of prepping! I can only imagine how challenging it must be to have a partner who isn't on board with you in that regard. It takes up such a huge amount of your time (and resources) that it's almost impossible to get fully prepared without their support. Survival shows and movies seem to be a great starting point for those who have a harder time wrapping their head around the idea.. Thanks for the positive feedback and best of luck to you and your wife in your future preps!

I saw this post and decided to try the show Jericho. I have to tell you, this is one of the best TV shows I have ever watched. I definitely recommend it! Survirors was good too once you got into it. The first episode wasn't great, but after that I liked it.

I love watching survival movies and TV shows. I remembered that my most survival movie when I was a kid is Cast Away by Tom Hanks. In fact until now it is still my favorite. I watched several times already. I was really amazed on he survived along in an island without survival equipment.

I would like preppers more if nat geo would take it more seriously. the walking dead is entertaining at best. I like zombie movies but it is starting to get old. I am looking forward to revolution in the fall. I really wish hollywood would make a survival movie showing how average people survive disasters instead of sensationalizing every disaster that comes about. why not help save lives for a change.

Hey, Nice list. I'll have a look at the shows that i did not see yet. I'm a huge fan of survivorman. It's proberly because he is so down to earth. And the stuff he does it the stuff your should do if you get lost. And the fact that he does not have a camera man and a sound guy + random assistens hanging around all the time, just makes it more real and fun to watch.

Thanks for the list, not even seen most of them but will certainly be checking them out. I can recommend the Ray Mears extreme survival series, I like how he talks with indigenous people & picks up tips from them for the particular areas he's in, and the survival stories he recounts from the areas he's visiting are equal parts interesting and inspiring. I highly recommend his Ray Mears Northern wilderness series too. Bear Grylls does some extreme things in his series, true. But he rarely shows or explains techniques in sufficient detail & it was revealed in the press that some stuff was fabricated, also that while he was 'supposed' to be spending the night out in the wilderness area and relying on his skills, he would actually be whisked away to spend the night in a nice comfy hotel. More show and less substance with Grylls.

Another couple of interesting programs were made with former SAS special forces soldier Chris Ryan. Terror alert could you survive…….covers things like terrorist attack, mass blackouts, plane hijacking etc. And Hunting Chris Ryan is also worth watching. The premise is that he's dropped into different environment's with minimal equipment, he's then pursued by a hunter force made up mainly of former US and UK soldiers & has to reach a rendezvous point in order to escape. Entertaining & some interesting tips can be picked up along the way.

Revolution, new show about about U.S. power outage and the fallout, survivorship and warring… entertaining at best. Mostly just about the people's lives & stories. Not incorporating tips about how to survive, make water potable, etc. Just another show. It does make you think about what to do in event of no power, not counting on it for everything, being prepared, but it is not a teaching show

Hey, does anyone know of a end-of-the-world type TV series in about 2010 (I think) I remember a scene where a black woman interrogates and executes a man, and another scene in a warehouse stocked full of food where a guy gets shot in the leg (?) and the girl he's with nicks off instead of helping him… any ideas?

lol! In Dual Survival, I just like how there's a down to Earth person who's in touch with mother nature & respecting her laws & there's this hearty cunt who's a complete opposite of him who doesn't give a fuck about what he thinks & they both have to survive together.

For those that like doomsday preppers (and yes some of the people on the show are out there) apocalypse 101 had more practical info. As for those that bash doomsday preppers, people have had fears and built shelters since the cold war. That doesn’t mean you can’t take away valuable tidbits from the show. Also Dual Survival no longer has Cody Lundin or Dave Canterbury in the cast. It is now Joe Teti and Matt.

Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.